Will Stand-Only Plane Seats Really Land on Ryanair, EasyJet & More? Here’s the Truth

'This is pitiful. Handle people with dignity.'

This is just one of the hundreds of comments on an Instagram a post stating that upright-only airplane seating will soon be introduced by budget carriers.

The furore is understandable. With strict luggage rules , cramped seating, and concealed charges, flying The budget is already quite like an endurance test.

And thanks to these new saddle-shaped seats, economy travel could get even more uncomfortable.

It’s been reported that the seats have now met regulatory requirements and passed safety tests, but are we really about to see the seats on our next flight?

This is all that we currently understand.

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What does a standing-only airplane seat entail?

Created by the Italian firm Aviointeriors, these seating options resemble something akin to a horse saddle or a rollercoaster seat.

They're connected to the floor and ceiling via a pole, with a seat pitch (the space between your seat and the one ahead) measuring only 23 inches. For comparison, Ryanair On average, the seat pitch is 30 inches.

Occupying reduced area, Aviointeriors assert that you could accommodate up to 20% additional passengers on brief journeys of two hours or shorter duration.

Numerous people have expressed their distaste regarding the seating arrangements. An irate commentator noted, 'These corporations couldn’t care less about you!' Meanwhile, someone else opined that such practices ought to be 'banned'.

However, these seats aren’t actually new. They made their debut at the Aircraft Interiors Expo way back in 2010, followed by an enhanced version being showcased again at the same expo in 2018.

By 2025, it's said that the Skyrider 2.0 has received approval for travel.

Will we see standing-only seats on budget-airlines in the UK?

In 2012, Michael O'Leary, who was the CEO of Ryanair at the time, faced criticism after proposing the idea of incorporating standing-room sections on airplanes. His suggestion involved adding ten rows of stand-up spaces that could potentially reduce fares down to just £1.

But fast forward to 2025, and a Ryanair spokesperson told that passengers don’t need to worry. When asked if the Irish carrier was set to launch standing-only seats they responded: ‘Ryanair has no plans to do so.’

Wizz Air also responded to "s response stating: 'We can verify that Wizz Air does not have any intentions to implement standing-only seating.'

Meanwhile, easyJet they shared feedback from rival companies, as a representative stated 'We aren’t planning to bring this in.'

also reached out to Jet2 , who have not responded yet.

What have the makers of the standing-only seating said?

Regarding the recent rumors and speculations about standing-only seats being introduced on airplanes, creators Aviointeriors issued a statement addressing the 'discussion and interest' generated by their 'non-traditional' aircraft seating concept.

Nevertheless, stating their intent to 'set the record straight,' the declaration reads: "The Skyrider, frequently misidentified as a completed airplane seat poised for departure, is actually a theoretical design concept from 2012."

‘Designed as a bold response to one of the aviation industry’s most pressing challenges, while maximizing space and ergonomics it was never meant to be taken at face value. Rather, it was a provocative exercise in design innovation, challenging the limits of what air travel might one day look like.

Aviointeriors is well aware of today’s market demands, bringing together quality, comfort, and the unmistakable touch of Made in Italy in every product it creates. For now, the Skyrider is not part of the official lineup.’

But, the company didn’t shut the standing-only seat down completely, adding: ‘But who knows what the future of aviation may hold?’

What changes have we seen in economy plane cabins?

Perhaps the biggest change we’ve seen isn’t seating, but rather overhead lockers.

As more airlines charge for checked baggage, many passengers opt for hand luggage , which tends to be less expensive or even complimentary. However, this frequently results in a frantic scramble to find space, as passengers compete to secure room for their luggage.

Fortunately, Airbus, the premier producer of passenger aircraft in the UK and Europe , had a solution.

In 2024, it was announced that they would be modifying some of their aircraft to feature the updated Airspace L bins.

These new bins are over half the size larger than the old A320 bins, providing 60% additional capacity, which enables storage for up to three extra bags per compartment. The key point is that the luggage is placed vertically rather than horizontally.

Lufthansa was the initial airline to receive 38 of these bins in January 2025. Other European carriers like Iberia and Swiss have announced their plans to adopt the new bins as well.

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